Sometimes a tooth cannot be extracted by the dentist and they may then refer the patient to have the extraction carried out by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. This may be due to the location of the tooth or for medical reasons where it is safer for the patient to have the extraction carried out in a hospital environment.
Dental Alveolar Surgery
Some of the reasons you will be referred to Mr Haers to have a tooth extracted.
• Decay or trauma to the area has made the tooth unrestorable
• The tooth is blocking others from erupting
• The tooth has become a source of infection
• You are having orthodontic treatment and space needs to be created.
Extractions can either be carried out under local anaesthesia, local anaesthesia and IV Sedation or general anaesthesia. Mr Haers will advise and give his recommendations.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
It is not uncommon for wisdom teeth to need to be extracted at some point in their life.
The wisdom tooth/ teeth may need to be extracted due to a lack of space in the mouth or if they are impacted and cause decay.
Impacted wisdom teeth should not be left in situ as it can lead to infection around the tooth, cause pain and sometimes decay the neighbouring teeth.
Sometimes is it possible to extract a wisdom tooth under local anaesthesia but if all 4 are impacted and need to be extracted this is usually carried out under a short general anaesthesia. When you have recovered from the anaesthesia and have been seen by Mr Haers you will be discharged later that day.
There is usually some swelling in the lower jaw and discomfort initially but this can be managed with prescribed analgesia and ice packs which greatly help to reduce swelling.